Adel is located in Dallas County (of which it is the county seat) west of Des Moines along US Highway 169 at the confluence of Butler Creek and the Raccoon River. Adel is in the Central Region of Iowa and part of the Des Moines, Iowa metro area.
The city was once a stop on the Dubuque-Council Bluffs stagecoach route and said to be named for an unidentified "pretty child with a prettier mother".
Well-known residents have included Nile Kinnick, a Heisman Trophy winner.
Community festivals include the Dallas County Fair. Event dates often change so check ahead.